POINT OF DISPENSING STAFF ORIENTATION

1. POINT OF DISPENSING STAFF ORIENTATION Wayne/Hamilton County Health Department405 North Basin Road Fairfield IL 62837618-842-5166

2. Session Overview • POD basics • POD management • POD roles and responsibilities • Preparing to work at a POD

3. Learning Objectives After completing this module, you will be able to describe: • The purpose of a Point of Dispensing (POD) • The role of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in a POD • The general structure and operations of public health PODs • How POD operations function within the Incident Command System (ICS) • How you can prepare yourself and your family for the time you spend working in a POD

4. POD basics MASS DISPENSING PLAN

5. What is a POD? Point of dispensing (POD) - a place where a vaccine, antibiotic or other medication is dispensed quickly to a large group of people. • General Public • Self Dispensing Sites (i.e., Hospital, Nursing Homes, etc) • First Responders

6. Why would a POD be activated? • Usually: To prevent disease in those exposed to an infection but who are not yet sick (antiviral, vaccine) • Possible: To treat an infectious disease • The treatment offered would be limited to dispensing a specific medication.

7. What Kinds of EmergenciesMight Require a POD? • Natural disaster • Influenza pandemic • Bioterrorism attack

8. What is the Strategic National Stockpile ? A large CDC-managed stockpile of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. You can learn more about the Strategic National Stockpile at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile

9. Strategic National Stockpile Components • Push Pack/12 Hours • Vendor Managed Inventory/ 24-36 hours

10. SNS Responsibilities • SNS • Send medications / vaccines • Provide technical assistance • State and Local governments • Demonstrate need for supplies • Receive, stage and store supplies • Dispense at community PODs • Hospitals • Dispense to personnel and patients

11. How Will a POD Be Set Up? • The layout of a POD is designed to facilitate accurate and rapid dispensing of a specific medication/vaccine • Basic POD floor plan • Variation • Situation • Local circumstances

12. POD layout

13. Where will PODs be located? POD locations must be: • Appropriate in size and layout • Able to be secured • Accessible by all

14. How will a POD be staffed? • It takes many people to run a POD • Number and mix of skills needed will depends on situation • Source of staff • Public health and hospital staff members • Other first responders • Volunteers

15. POD Management

16. How will POD operations be managed? • Using the Incident Command System which is part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). • In compliance with: • with good emergency response practice • federal requirements • Time and crisis tested

17. What is the National Incident Management System? • A core set of doctrines, principles, terminology, and organizational processes • Developed by the US Department of Homeland Security • For planning and response to any emergency on the local, regional, state and national levels

18. What is the Incident Command System? • A management model for command, control and coordination of an organization’s emergency response activities • Applies to management of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications

19. Incident Command Leadership

20. Operations Section Chief POD Operations Section Organizational Structure Triage Unit Leader Floater/Greeter Unit Leader Security Task Force 1 (Interior) Forms Distribution Unit Leader Pharmacy Unit Leader Security Task Force 2 (Exterior) Video Orientation Unit Leader (as required) Vaccine/Prophy Abx Unit Leader Interior Clinic Traffic Control Unit Child Care Unit Leader Exit/Evaluation Unit Leader EMS/Transfer Unit Leader

21. ICS essentials for POD workers • You will be assigned a role with a limited and specific set of tasks to perform • You will report to one and only one supervisor • As a POD supervisor, you will have a limited number of people reporting to you (span of control 3-7)

22. Incident Command Essentials for POD workers • Incident Commander is the boss • All POD activities are designed to meet the objectives set by the Incident Commander • Effective communication is key

23. Successful communication is key • Do not use jargon or acronyms • Only the Public Information Officer may speak with the media • Follow your supervisor’s guidance on communication with friends and family • Report rumors directly to your supervisor • Know how to use any communication equipment assigned to you

24. POD roles and responsibilities

25. How Will You Know When and Where to Respond? • If you are needed, you will be: • contacted by a designated person in health department • given specific information about where and when to report • On site, you will report to the staff sign-in area where you will be given an assignment

26. How Long Will You Be Working in the POD? • Shifts are usually 8-12 hours • The POD will be in operation until the mission has been achieved

27. What Should You Bring ? • Bring as little as possible • Bring • Photo identification – required • POD Go Pak • Specific equipment, as requested – e.g. stethoscope • Food will be provided to you while you work at the POD

28. How Will You Know What to Do When You Arrive at the POD? • Job Action Sheet • Just-in-time training

29. Job Action Sheet • Job title • Job mission • To whom you report • Tasks to perform

30. Just-in-time Training • The training delivered at the time of an incident • Focused on providing the knowledge and skills you need to fill your role JITT for short

31. How Will You be Assigned a Role? • Incident Commander or designee will assign a role based on • Your skills • Needs of the operation • You may be re-assigned as the needs of the operation change

32. POD roles

33. How Will You be Protected? All appropriate precautions will be taken to protect POD workers. • Vaccination or medication being dispensed before the POD opens • Supply and training on appropriate personal protective equipment • Safety officer always present • Facilities for food & rest

34. Dealing with stress Working at a POD may be stressful • Monitor self and others for signs of stress and fatigue • POD attendees and co-workers may vent anger - don’t take it personally • Mental health workers will be available on site Report any serious problems to your supervisor.

35. What are signs of stress and fatigue? • Lack of concentration • Increased number of non-critical errors • Critical errors • Irritability • Worry • Feeling ill

36. What Are Ethical Guidelines for Working in a POD? • Treat members of the public with fairness and respect • Courtesy • Confidentiality • No favoritism or discrimination • Don’t spread rumors • Honor your commitment to work at a POD until the mission is complete Your fellow staff members and the public are relying on you.

37. What Do You Do When It's Time to Leave? • Your supervisor will tell you when your shift is complete • When leaving your supervisor may ask you to: • brief him/her • turn in a report or equipment • Always check out at the staff desk any time you leave a POD

38. What Do You Do When It's Time to Leave? • Your supervisor will tell you when the mission is complete and your service is no longer needed • You will be asked to participate in a debriefing called a ‘hot wash’

39. What liability protection am I afforded? • Health department employee • Hospital employee • Volunteer • Licensed medical professional • Member of MRC or other organization

40. Where Can You Get Additional Training? Wayne/Hamilton County Health Department618-842-5166 www.WayneCountyHealthDept.org www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/

41. Conclusion • A POD is established to dispense a vaccine, antibiotic or other medication quickly to a large group of people usually to prevent disease. • The clinic flow is intended to maximize movement through the POD. • PODs are managed using the Incident Command System.

42. Conclusion • Each POD worker will be assigned a specific role which will be described in a Job Action Sheet. • Safety of POD workers is paramount. • Plan and train now to be an effective POD worker.